1951

Fall Weekend: So much to tell ... so little space! We arrived at Lu and Peter Martin's deli Friday evening. Luannounced that rain had cancelled the parade, but it didn't matter because "this is the funnest activity I have all year." Mike Choukas observed, "I hope not!" and then allowed as how an abbreviated parade would indeed go on.

We marched from the Inn corner to Dartmouth Hall. The air was clear and not too cold, but best of all it was dark—I don't like people to see my eyes well up when the Glee Club performs "Dartmouth Undying." (It's a genetic thing. My father used to cry while watching wrestling on TV in the '50s.) Speeches; funny, corny greetings from Dartmouth Clubs all over; a brief welcome from President Freedman; some more detailed remarks from team captains who may never address this many people again. We lost our class after the march but then linked up with Bill Leffler and Sue Livingston who had come to Hanover together, each for the first time since the loss of their spouses, both in the last year. They were havin'a date! I prepared an alphabetical list of attendees (see Batch's '51 Fables), and who followed Leffler? Livingston! Hmmmm.

Frank Smallwood's Saturday wake-up seminar featured three outstanding panelists who were all ladies (am I learning?). Over 100 of us had our thinking broadened as these experts, former Vermont Governor Madeline Kunin, Associate Justice Martha P. Grace (wife of Nase Hurowitz), and Dartmouth Professor Lynn Mather made us focus on the absence of women in the political process and the reasons why that could be changing soon.

Then, off to Nita and Mike Choukas's famous Chowda Lunch. Forecasts notwithstanding, the sun was out. Names and faces were getting easier and, too soon, it was time for the game. Is there anything in this world like seeing the Marching Band on the goal line ready to fire off "Dartmouth's in Town Again"? Not for me.

Following the game, we went to Dick's House for the dedication of the John Sloan Dickey Conference Room, furnished by a $ 10,000 gift from our class. Bob Hustek was eloquent in describing what President Dickey meant to all of us. Again, those darn tears! Another beautifully conceived and executed class (read "classy") project bringing us credit.

No time to change clothes. Over to Babsand Dave Hall's home. Wall-to-wall people, splendid food and drink. Bob Hopkins presented a Spirit of '51 Award to Hank Sanders, whose service to the College, the class, and his community were elegantly described in a scroll prepared by Bill Boynton.

We were 49 classmates—89 including wives and guests. Let's quickly note some who we don't see all the time but expect to see from now on: Steve Balogh, Bill Green, Al Katz,PeirceMcKee, Dick Minor, Jerry Mitchell,George Southwick, and Ed Weisenfeld. Great to see them and theirs.

Come join us February 12-14 for the winter mini. More next time. Happy Holidays to all. Send me your Christmas letters.

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